Design of a variable stiffness index finger exoskeleton

This paper presents the design and experimentation of a variable stiffness index finger exoskeleton consisting of four-bar mechanisms actuated by a linear actuator. The lengths of the four-bar mechanism were optimized so that it can follow a recorded index fingertip trajectory. The mechanism has a fixed compliance at the coupler of the four-bar link and a variable compliance at the linear actuator that moves the four-bar. The skeletal shape of the coupler of the finger link has been optimized using FEM. The exoskeleton can apply a constant fingertip force irrespective of the position of the fingers.